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ZA 24/2 wide open performance.

Hi everyone. I would like to ask for an opinion or two. The accompanying photo was taken with a Sony a55 and a ZA24/2 – exposure f2, 1/40, 800 ISO, shot as a jpg. I do not have a comparison shot taken at a smaller aperture. Is this excepted IQ under these conditions – lights with halos around them and purple edges? The reason I bought this lens was for its wide open performance. Are my expectations too high or perhaps its operator error - please enlighten. Bill

Re: ZA 24/2 wide open performance.

Pretty normal for Zeiss prime lenses. The 85mm F1.4 in the A mount has more extreme longitudinal CA. Some other lenses have none - like the 24-70m F2.8 Zeiss. In most cases it is quite esay to remove, but I see a design compromise going on here. The 24mm F1.8 E mount has some CA.

Whether it is a deal breaker for you is a mattr of taste.

Quentin

Quentin Bargate Co-Founder of Ajuve, Director of Bargate Murray, Law Firm of the Year 2012 - 2016, Photographer

Re: ZA 24/2 wide open performance.

I'll confirm what Quentin says, and add that the problem is not uncommon for lenses from other manufacturers, too. For example, my summicron 50mm (current version) is a wonderful short portrait lens on the Nex, except that it suffers from LoCA at a level between that for the ZA 24/2 and 85/1.4. I'd add that all three of these lenses were designed for full format, where this aberration is less visible. Nettar

Re: ZA 24/2 wide open performance.

Re: ZA 24/2 wide open performance.

Jan, I think you solved the problem - operator error. No I was not using a protective filter but on inspection I found the lens had a huge smear on it. I knew something was wrong. I have had the lens for a year and had never seen this before. Maybe it was the afternoon in the micro brewery. I have removed the smear and I intend to return and retake the shots. This time at different f-stops as well. Unfortunately my guest from Germany, who enjoyed the micro brewery, will not be with me.